NEW YORK NEWS
Amidst a surge in high-profile crimes within New York City’s subway system, Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed nearly 1,000 personnel, including 750 National Guard members, state police, and transit officers, to conduct bag checks at key stations.
Hochul emphasized the aim to enhance subway safety for all commuters and transit workers, stressing that no one should fear encountering deadly weapons during their daily travels. Recent attacks, including a man being kicked onto tracks and a subway conductor being slashed, have heightened public concern. Hochul proposed expanding subway surveillance and empowering judges to ban subway criminals, likening it to laws restricting DWI offenders. Despite the increase in crime, MTA CEO Janno Lieber highlighted that a small fraction of repeat offenders are responsible for a significant portion of subway crimes, advocating for collaboration with district attorneys to address recidivism effectively.
Following Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of deploying hundreds of National Guard soldiers to patrol and check bags in New York City’s subway system, an adjustment was swiftly made: soldiers conducting bag checks would no longer carry long guns. Hochul’s directive, implemented promptly after the announcement, aimed to alleviate concerns while maintaining security measures. Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union welcomed the ban on long guns at bag-checking stations but criticized the overall militarized response, fearing it could escalate tension and disproportionately affect communities of color. Despite Hochul’s aim to reassure commuters, the deployment drew criticism from public officials and within her own party, with concerns raised about potential criminalization of subway riders and the perception of mass transit safety. The move comes amid ongoing debates over subway safety and follows Mayor Eric Adams’ deployment of additional police officers earlier in the year, despite reported declines in crime rates within the system.
Former Democratic New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind was arrested during a protest at Amnesty International’s Manhattan offices on March 8, International Women’s Day. Hikind intended to present an award for “moral hypocrisy” to the human-rights group for their alleged silence on Hamas’s sexual violence against Jewish women and girls on October 7. He claimed that instead of accepting the award, Amnesty International called the police to arrest him after he refused to leave their offices. Hikind’s arrest sparked controversy, with him and his supporters advocating for speaking out against such atrocities even if it leads to arrest.
Teachers at Origins High School in Brooklyn received a disturbing email on Tuesday, threatening the extermination of Jewish people. The email, sent from an address named “killalljewsnow,” called for violent actions against Jews. Danielle Kaminsky, a history teacher who has previously faced anti-Semitic threats, was specifically targeted in the email. She reported the incident to the police and now has 24/7 security due to online threats. The school has been marred by reports of anti-Semitism and racism, including a student allegedly chanting “Death to Israel” while wearing a Hitler mustache. Some students claim that a small group of students is responsible for these incidents. Concerns have been raised about the school’s handling of the situation, with accusations of retaliation against staff members who speak out against anti-Semitism. However, school administrators deny claims of widespread anti-Semitism and state that appropriate disciplinary actions have been taken against students involved in inappropriate behavior. Mayor Eric Adams attributed the incidents to exposure to hate on social media and stressed the need to address such issues effectively.
Shares of New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB) continued to decline on Monday despite a $1 billion capital raise announced last week, led by former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The initial boost in share price was short-lived as investors expressed concerns over the deal’s terms, particularly the dilution caused by issuing new shares at $2 each. Analysts highlighted NYCB’s above-average exposure to commercial real estate (CRE) loans, prompting ratings downgrades and target price reductions. Concerns over smaller banks’ CRE exposure have been escalating, with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warning of potential future failures among regional banks.
US NEWS
The Senate passed a $460 billion funding package for various government agencies for fiscal year 2024, sending it to President Biden’s desk just before a shutdown deadline. The bill, which includes funding for departments like Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Transportation, is expected to be signed by Biden on Saturday. It marks the culmination of bipartisan negotiations that began at the start of the year. However, this is only the first batch of spending bills, with another set due by March 22, including funding for Defense and Homeland Security. The Senate faced last-minute drama over amendments, delaying the final vote. The bill had bipartisan support in the House but faced criticism from both sides, with Democrats expressing concerns over a GOP-backed provision related to guns. Despite some opposition, the bill’s passage represents the first full-year funding under the divided Congress since late 2022.
In February, inflation unexpectedly rose due to increased gasoline and rent costs, with the consumer price index climbing by 0.3% from the previous month and 3.2% from the same time last year. Core prices, excluding food and energy, also increased by 0.4% monthly and 3.8% annually. Despite a decrease from its peak, inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Rising rent and gasoline prices were the main drivers of inflation, while food prices remained unchanged for the month but rose by 1% compared to last year. Additionally, airline tickets and car insurance costs saw increases in February.
President Biden’s State of the Union address was delayed due to pro-Palestinian protesters blocking his motorcade’s path near the Capitol. The protesters demanded an end to U.S. support for Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Biden is expected to focus on foreign affairs in his speech, with plans to announce an emergency mission to establish a temporary port in Gaza for humanitarian aid. The administration’s stance on Israel has been influenced by progressive pressure, including calls for a ceasefire. Vice President Harris previously advocated for an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Former President Donald Trump solidified his influence over the Republican National Committee (RNC) as his endorsed candidates, Michael Whatley for chair and Lara Trump for co-chair, were unanimously elected to leadership positions. This follows Ronna McDaniel’s resignation as RNC chairwoman, which Trump had requested. Whatley, the current chair of the North Carolina GOP, emphasized the importance of the 2024 election in his remarks, while Lara Trump highlighted fundraising efforts aimed at supporting Trump and the party’s goals. Following their election, the RNC purged over 60 staff members.
President Joe Biden’s deposition transcript, sent to Congress by the Justice Department, reveals his interactions with special counsel Robert Hur’s team last October. The transcript portrays Biden sharing anecdotes and exhibiting moments of memory lapses, including forgetting the year his son Beau died. The deposition, characterized as non-adversarial, are replete with instances of vague recollection regarding the handling of classified documents. This lack of recollection led the special counsel to describe Biden as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” which is what led to the conclusion that a jury would not find him guilty. Despite the report’s findings of mishandling classified information, no charges were brought against Biden. The transcript illustrates Biden’s challenges in recalling key details, often diverting into tangential topics during the interview.
Matisyahu, the American Jewish reggae musician, announced the cancellation of his third concert, scheduled at House of Blues Chicago, due to the threat of pro-Palestinian protests. This follows two previous cancellations in Tucson, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The cancellations were attributed to staffing shortages and safety concerns after venues were targeted by protesters. Matisyahu clarified that there were no specific threats of violence received by his security team. Despite the cancellations, he remains committed to performing and standing against hate, with plans to donate the proceeds from the canceled show to charitable causes.
Israel NEWS
A report published by Tablet magazine delves into the casualty numbers reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health during the current conflict in Gaza, suggesting that they are exaggerated and likely fabricated. The analysis, authored by Abraham Wyner, a professor of statistics, points out several anomalies in the data, such as a suspiciously consistent daily increase in casualties and discrepancies in the reported numbers of women and children. Wyner argues that these inconsistencies indicate the numbers are not based on reality but are instead likely arbitrary figures created by Hamas. The report also notes that even top U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, have referenced these inflated casualty figures, which could influence international perceptions of the conflict. Ultimately, the report concludes that the true number of civilian casualties is likely much lower than what has been reported by Hamas.
A state commission of inquiry has concluded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with several other officials, bears personal responsibility for the 2021 Meron disaster, where 45 people died in a crush at a hilltop gravesite in northern Israel. The commission criticized Netanyahu for not addressing safety concerns despite warnings, ultimately holding him responsible for the site’s management. Additionally, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and police chief Kobi Shabtai were also singled out for their roles in the tragedy. The report calls for measures such as barring Ohana from serving as national security minister and recommends the termination of Shabtai’s tenure. The investigation highlighted systemic failures and urged proactive measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
Israel has greenlit the construction of 3,500 new housing units in Ma’ale Adumim, Efrat, and Kedar in Judea, as announced by the Higher Planning Council of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the decision, emphasizing the ongoing construction efforts in the region despite opposition. Shlomo Ne’eman, head of the Yesha Council, praised the move as a Zionist response, thanking government officials for strengthening sovereignty in the area. Efrat Mayor Oded Revivi welcomed the approval of housing units in Efrat, marking progress toward becoming a city. The decision follows a previous approval of 5,700 homes in Judea and Samaria, which drew criticism from the United States.
Israel’s Transport Minister, Miri Regev, announced that there will be no fireworks at the national celebrations of Israel’s 76th Independence Day. This decision comes in response to calls from families of hostages still held captive by Hamas in Gaza to tone down the usual celebratory nature of the event. The families urged the government to prioritize efforts to secure the release of their loved ones rather than holding festive ceremonies. Regev stated that the format of the Independence Day ceremony would be adjusted in light of recent events, and the torch-lighting ceremony, which traditionally marks the transition from Remembrance Day to Independence Day, will not proceed without the hostages. The committee organizing the national ceremony plans to invite former captives who were freed in a previous hostage-for-ceasefire deal to participate in the event.
WORLD NEWS
Pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action vandalized a century-old portrait of Arthur James Balfour at the University of Cambridge. The portrait, located in Trinity College, was defaced with red paint and slashed, allegedly to protest the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which supported the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine. The group accused Balfour of contributing to the suffering of Palestinians, particularly in light of the conflict in Gaza. The incident prompted a police investigation, and Trinity College expressed regret over the damage. Defacing art as a form of protest has become increasingly common, with recent incidents reported in various locations, including New York.
Canada has announced it will resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) after temporarily halting payments following Israeli allegations against some UNRWA staff in Gaza. UNRWA has faced financial strain amid the Israel-Hamas conflict and accusations against its employees. Canada plans to contribute $25 million Canadian to UNRWA and provide additional aid to Gaza through other channels.
Chile’s far-left government has decided to exclude Israeli companies from participating in Latin America’s largest aerospace and defense fair, the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE), scheduled for April in Santiago. The defense ministry announced the decision without providing a reason. This move aligns with the leftist stance of Prime Minister Gabriel Boric, who has been critical of Israeli policies, particularly regarding the conflict in Gaza. Israeli Ambassador to Chile Gil Artzyeli expressed lack of surprise over the decision, given Chile’s stance towards Israel. This exclusion comes amid tensions between Israel and various Latin American countries over the Gaza conflict, with some, like Chile, recalling ambassadors or severing diplomatic ties with Israel.
The Netherlands’ first Holocaust museum in Amsterdam faced protests during its opening ceremony due to the presence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Over 1,000 demonstrators objected to Herzog’s attendance, citing Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Despite this, the museum, marking the culmination of 20 years of planning, aims to document the Dutch Holocaust comprehensively. It acknowledges Dutch collaboration in the genocide and tells the victims’ stories through their own words and artifacts. The museum strives to restore the dignity and humanity of Holocaust victims while urging visitors to protect democracy.
